Star Trek: Ascension - Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

They materialize with visible relief upon a transporter platform in a blissfully empty transporter room.

"I wonder if Worf would enjoy that program?" Riker asks in a sardonic voice. He steps off the transporter pad and follows Picard to the control station.

"The processor must not be able to distinguish between the matrix and the holodeck programs. Perhaps we should consider using the "arch" command to attempt to alter the matrix format in the future.”

"It certainly came in handy," Riker agrees.

Strangely, the transporter deck fills with sound and the overhead grids begin to brighten without anyone at the controls. The transporter beam cascades and takes shape. As the beam fades and a figure appears before them in the current black with gray shoulders uniform.

"Data!" Picard gasps.

"Hello sir," the android greets as if he had just seen them an hour before, "Captain Riker."

"Captain, the matrix," Riker warns, positioning his hands over the transport controls.

"Quite right," Picard replies with a tone laced with disappointment.

Data steps down from the transporter platform looking at the two men amicably. "I am not part of Moriarty's matrix, sir."

"Then how?" Riker insists .

Picard smiles in his assumption, "B4."

"Not precisely, captain," Data corrects, approaching them with a familiar ease. "Although Geordi is using B4 as a conduit to achieve my presence here, he has accessed Commander Data's memory engrams held by B4."

"So, are you B4 or Data?" Riker asks somewhat impatiently.

"In regard to the engrams I am both, and many more," he explains. "I am at the same time Data, B4, Lol, and the colonists of Omicron Theta. The Dominion device makes no distinction. However, as a means of identification you can address me as Data in accordance with the program we created for Professor Moriarty. I have, in a manner of speaking, usurped the role of the Commander Data that was created for this matrix."

"Very good," Picard announces with a bright, satisfied smile that would normally be out of character outside such a reunion.

"Is it my imagination or are you looking older?" jabs Riker in a friendly manner.

Data smiles, glad for the ease of Riker's acceptance, "It has been a number of years since my death. However, because I never died in Moriarty's reality my appearance is consistent with my counterpart's age here. May I point out, as well, that there is significantly more gray in your beard than when last we met."

Riker laughs as Picard savors the exchange, but he soon realizes the purpose for Data's arrival. "I suppose our first priority to determine where we are and then find a means of locating Lt. Alden."

The three men step up to the exit and are surprised when the doors open to reveal the matrix version of Commander Riker.

"Captain?" the facsimile checks with appalled and confused features.

"Arch," Captain Riker calls quickly, "computer, delete Riker.

Both Commander and Captain Riker vanish abruptly.

*

In the Titan's Main Engineering Troi falls against the Dominion device with a cry that shatters the progress of those working around her. "Will!"

Her friends and comrades rush to her side and she falls against Worf trembling.

*

Within the biological archive, the Dominion designation for Captain Riker glows brightly above the space where he had been originally suspended, again washing him in a ray of light. Just as before, the light swells and then diminishes, however this time it deposits Riker in his place. He struggles against the constraints of the archive as the stasis program activates and his body grows rigid.

*

Shocked, Picard turns sharply to Data, "Data, what happened?"

Studying Picard's reaction, he answers somewhat dispassionately, "Just as my many selves are indistinguishable to the Dominion device, so are the two William Rikers. When Captain Riker called on the computer to delete Commander Riker, he inadvertently transferred himself to the biological database. Although we will be unable to retrieve him as things now stand, he should be quite safe -perhaps safer than you and I."

"Are you certain? "

"Yes, sir," Data replies, as if surprised the captain would question his answer. " Commander La Forge ensured I would have access to the device and its systems software. Therefore, I have the ability to monitor many of its functions."

"Is there a way to get us transferred out of the database?" Picard asks in a voice stressed by frustration.

"There is no release system," Data answers. "However, I am currently investigating the acquisition and retrieval protocols and will be able to communicate that information to Commander La Forge."

Picard sighs resolutely and moves back to the entryway. The doors open and he assesses the corridor cautiously. Data comes dutifully to his side and they exit the transporter room, heading for the nearest turbolift.

*

Doctor Crusher sits with Troi at an engineering station with her medical tricorder in hand. "Just try to relax, Deanna. I'd rather not have to give you a sedative."

Troi nods, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

Behind them the ship's medical team has arrived and getting most of the engineering crew on their feet and en route to sickbay. Worf and McDowell are with doctors Polaski and Bashir assisting them in moving those who are too injured to walk onto gurneys. As they do so Barclay and two of his engineers are hard at work at the main control table.

La Forge and Gomez stand next to the device where B4 sits in a chair with his scalp plate removed. Cables run from his positronic net to the port that had connected the device to command functions. The android's face is expressionless and his eyes stare blankly ahead as if in a trance. Geordi watches the monitor on the PADD in his hand, as words begin to scroll across the screen and he glance up at Gomez.

"Okay, he's transmitting again," he announces eagerly. “Sonya, see if you can identify the matter conversion buffer. Data says that there should be a component casing just behind the scanner lens at the front of this thing."

Gomez moves to the front of the machine, being careful to stay clear of the matter transfer targeting array and Dr. Bashir steps to her side to help. As she begins to trace the various components Troi moves closer to watch with Crusher behind and monitoring her.

"How will this help?" Troi asks, trying to focus on the progress rather than the problem.

"We need to see if the Dominion's technology is compatible with our transporter system," the chief engineer explains.

Bashir moves closer to Troi with a PADD in his hand showing her the schematic of the device he has been able to piece together from his research. "I've been able to determine that this machine uses a holographic memory core for the storage of biological patterns. It is very similar to how our own holodecks store programs."

"But the transporters can't carry holographs," Deanna says dreadfully.

"True, but there are physical patterns stored in this device," the doctor replies in a tenor of fascination. "If we can find the matter transfer systems, then perhaps we can create a retrieval system by connecting it to our transporters."

Behind him Gomez removes a cover plate, revealing the inner hardware of the machine. She taps Bashir on the back with annoyance to get his attention.

"Yes, yes, that's it. Look here," he says showing her the schematic on his PADD and the corresponding diagram on her tricorder.

"Chief?" La Forge checks from B4's side on the opposite end of the device.

"Apparently I've got it," she calls, her face buried in the open access port of the matter transfer targeting array. "There are a lot of ports. Their configuration isn't like anything I've seen before, but I don't think we'll have a problem replicating compatible connectors. We just have to identify which port does what."

"I'm requesting the information from Data now," Geordi replies as he makes an entry into the PADD. "Counselor, tell Reg that we're going to need a way of getting this thing to one of the transporter rooms without deactivating it."

Troi nods, casting grateful eyes at Bashir, and then begins to step away.

"Deanna," Geordi calls after her, "we'll get him out of there."

*

Within the biological archive Riker is suspended in stasis immersed in the sea of aliens with the Dominion symbol glowing faintly above him.

*

Meanwhile in the matrix version of the Enterprise D, Picard and Data are trying to use the arch command to change Picard's uniform to the appropriate style with annoying results. The captain's uniform changes from a circa 2151 jumpsuit to the equally antiquated uniform circa 2285 and he sighs curtly.

"Sir, you are aware that we cannot delete your matrix counterpart without transferring you to the biological database as well," Data broaches.

"Well, Mr. Data, I suppose that leave us with the proposition of murder. Murder most foul," Picard answers before raising his eyes toward the ceiling. "Arch; computer, change my uniform to Starfleet issue of 2395."

His uniform changes again, but this time to the black with red shoulders style. He looks at Data with diminishing patience.

"Perhaps you should be more specific," Data prods gently.

Picard nods and takes a deep breath before continuing. " Arch; computer, change my uniform to the Starfleet issue of 2395 for a ranking officer with captain's insignia. "

His uniform changes again, and this time to the correct style.

With the uniform issue dealt with, Data returns to the captain's observation. "Because of the nature of the matrix, I doubt our actions can be construed as murder, sir."

Picard smiles," Let's hope not, commander. There's something disconcerting about planning to murder one's self."

The lift control panel chirps and the two exchange glances.

"Someone is attempting to override the controls," Data reports.

Before they can respond the turbolift doors open to the stark hulk of the matrix Worf. Shadows veil his eyes as the dim light illuminates his brooding brow and features.

"Excuse me, captain," Worf offers, surprised and curious to find the Data and the captain locked in the lift, his eyes shifting from one to the other. "I thought the lift was malfunctioning again. I wasn't aware it was... occupied."

"Not at all lieutenant," Picard answers with an awkward smile.

The facsimile Worf steps into the lift with a suspicious air and stands between them in silence. Picard and Data stare ahead feigning normalcy as the lift carries them away. Picard's com-badge chirps and he taps it unconsciously out of habit, opening the communications channel.

Picard looks at Data with consternation at the sound of Dr. Crusher's voice. "Crusher to Picard."

Picard remains silent, but to his dismay the open frequency announces his matrix counterpart's answers to the hail. " Go ahead, doctor. "

Worf spins on his heels to loom over the captain as the exchange between the alternate captain and doctor issues from the com-badge. " I have those results, captain. Can you come to sickbay? "

"On my way doctor."

With eyes fixed on Picard Worf reaches for his com badge.

"Arch," Data trumpets behind the counterfeit Klingon, "computer, delete Lt. Worf."

Just as Captain Riker had, the matrix version of Worf vanishes and Picard looks at the android with relief. "I don't think I realized before exactly how intimidating Mr. Worf can be."

Data nods and locks the controls to the turbolift access again. In the quiet of the moment, Picard looks at Data thoughtfully. "I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity again to tell you how very much I have missed you, Data."

"Thank you, captain," Data says softly. "But I must remind you that I am not Data as you knew him."

"I… I understand that, but a part of him is still in you. Perhaps, eventually, we will find a way to restore that Data to us," Picard explains hopefully.

"Commanders La Forge and Gomez have been working on just such an endeavor," Data replies flatly. "Using both B4 and Lore, they are hoping to transfer Data's memory engrams into Lore's modified hardware without any deleterious side effects."

Picard reflects on the prospect with a smile. "So that was to be his retirement gift to me. Geordi… a gift for us all."

"But I do not wish to be Data, captain," the android announces, jarring Picard out of his moment.

Picard examines Data's face with a twinge of pain and puzzlement in his own. Data simply stares back at him expressionless.

"What do you mean?" Picard finally says.

"The Dominion device has integrated many personalities in me," the android explains carefully, conscious of the captain's need to have Data back. "Although I am, in essence, playing the role of Data, I am in fact a new individual. I do not want to lose my individuality once this mission is completed."

"But you are still Data," Picard insists.

Data pauses to reframe his explanation before continuing again in his trademark gentleness. "Commander Data endeavored his entire life to become more than his original programming, to become more human. How could I deny the spirit of his struggle by curtailing that endeavor at this threshold of evolution?"

Picard's heart sinks upon the hearing. He lifts his eyes to meet Data's. "So many things have changed. So much has been lost. So often we cannot go back to retrieve those things, those people, we've left behind."

"I understand," Data answers softly.

"So do I," Picard echoes pensively. "I'm standing at the end of a journey looking back, surprised to find myself wishing things were different."

"Perhaps you should be looking the other direction, sir," Data suggests.

Picard manages a laugh despite himself, "Indeed."